Excess Telecom is one of the mobile virtual network operators offering free tablets and unlimited internet via the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
It utilizes the T-Mobile network and is available across all U.S. states. The Excess Telecom ACP phone plan provides free 25GB of highspeed data on the 4G or 5G networks.
With help from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Excess Telecom offers free tablets to qualifying customers from low-income families.
However, existing and new Excess Telecom customers often have no idea what it takes to qualify for a free tablet. This article provides a detailed review of how to get an Excess Telecom free tablet.
Why Free Tablets
With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people lost their incomes and got stuck at home, unable to communicate, hold meetings, or study online.
So, the Federal Government created the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) to provide free or affordable internet connectivity to those who had lost income or were living in low-income families.
When the EBB ended on December 31, 2022, the FCC replaced it with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) with similar benefits and some changes in the eligibility criteria.
Some of the benefits of the ACP include a free tablet and subsidized or free internet services. It is similar to Lifeline Assistance, which offers low-income families free and discounted phone services.
Each qualifying household gets a $100 discount on purchasing a free tablet and a $30 discount on monthly broadband. Those living on Tribal lands can enjoy a $75 discount on monthly internet bills.
Who Can Get Excess Telecom Free Tablet
You can only get an Excess Telecom free tablet if you qualify for the ACP. While the loss of income is no longer a criterion, a household’s annual income is a consideration.
Other things that go into determining the discount include participation in government assistance. Here is how to qualify for Excess Telecom free tablet:
1. Income
The first way to get Excess Telecom free tablet is through your income. According to the FCC, eligible applicants must have an income of 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For the EBB, the income threshold was 135% percent of the poverty guideline.
Federal Poverty Guidelines are the same in 48 states and the District of Columbia. However, Alaska and Hawaii have different guidelines. So, you should check with your state government to know the applicable poverty guidelines in your area.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the poverty guidelines and income thresholds for the ACP in different U.S. states:
2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines and ACP Income Thresholds for 48 States and the District of Columbia
| No. of persons in a family or household | 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines | ACP income thresholds (200% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13,590 | $27,180 |
| 2 | $18,310 | $36,620 |
| 3 | $23,030 | $46,060 |
| 4 | $27,750 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $32,470 | $64,940 |
| 6 | $37,190 | $74,380 |
| 7 | $41,910 | $83,820 |
| 8 | $46,630 | $93,260 |
| Each additional household member | $4,720 | $9,440 |
This table represents the general poverty guidelines in the larger United States and the District of Columbia. So, the guidelines will likely apply to you if you live anywhere in the U.S. except Alaska and Hawaii.
You need an income of $27,180 if you’re from a one-member household and $36,620 in a two-member household. The income threshold changes by $9,440 for every additional member to the family.
2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines and ACP Income Thresholds for Alaska
| No. of persons in a family or household | 2022 Federal poverty guideline | ACP Income thresholds (200% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $16,990 | $33,980 |
| 2 | $22,890 | $45,780 |
| 3 | $28,790 | $57,580 |
| 4 | $34,690 | $69,380 |
| 5 | $40,590 | $81,180 |
| 6 | $46,490 | $92,980 |
| 7 | $52,390 | $104,780 |
| 8 | $58,290 | $116,580 |
| Each additional household member | $5,900 | $11,800 |
Alaska is one of the two states with different poverty guidelines. If you’re a resident of Alaska, you need an income of up to $33,980 if you live alone or $45,780 in a two-member household. The income threshold changes by $11,800 with each extra family member.
2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines and ACP Income Threshold for Hawaii
| No. of persons in a family or household | Poverty guideline | ACP Income Limit (200% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,630 | $31,260 |
| 2 | $21,060 | $42,120 |
| 3 | $26,490 | $52,980 |
| 4 | $31,920 | $63,840 |
| 5 | $37,350 | $74,700 |
| 6 | $42,780 | $85,560 |
| 7 | $48,210 | $96,420 |
| 8 | $53,640 | $107,280 |
| Each additional household member | $5,430 | $10,860 |
The poverty guidelines for Hawaii lie between those for most states and Alaska. Those living alone need an annual income of up to $31,260.
In a two-member household, the income threshold for Hawaii is $42,120. That means that every additional household member leads to an increase of $10,860 in the ACP income threshold.
2. Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a program that awards scholarships to undergraduate students in need of financial aid. So, you must display your need for the grant to get it.
The financing goes towards a professional undergraduate degree. So, if one of your family members gets the Federal Pell Grant, you can get an Excess Telecom free tablet.
3. Excess Telecom Eligibility Terms
Besides the FCC requirements for qualifying for a free tablet, service providers may have additional terms and conditions. It helps to visit the FCC website to check out the list of participating service providers.
Once you’ve picked a service provider, check their website for any additional terms and conditions. In that case, you must visit the Excess Telecom website to review their requirements.
You can apply for a free Excess Telecom tablet if you meet all their requirements. For instance, Excess Telecom charges a one-time $11 fee for a free tablet.
4. Federal Assistance Program
The Federal Government has established various programs to assist low-income families and make life more bearable. Participation in these initiatives shows that you have no income or earn below the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
So, you can get an Excess Telecom free tablet if you or a family member participates in a Federal assistance program. Regardless of the program, you must provide documents proving your participation.
The following are some of the qualifying Federal Assistance programs:
- National School Lunch programs
- Medical Aid or Medical Assistance
- Lifeline Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA, Section 8)
- The current year’s Federal Pell Grant
- Veterans Survivor Pension Fund
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
5. Federal Assistance on Tribal Lands
Besides the general Federal assistance programs, the government targets Tribal Lands residents with specialized initiatives. The programs might change based on your state government but generally include the following:
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Tribal Head Start
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)General Assistance
6. Lifeline Assistance
Lifeline Assistance is a Federal government initiative for providing low-income families with telephone connectivity. Through its discount, phone companies can offer each qualifying family a phone line (fixed-line or mobile) and a discount on the monthly phone bill.
Documents Needed When Applying for an Excess Telecom Free Tablet
In your application, it is not enough to state that you meet the ACP eligibility criteria. Instead, you should provide copies of eligibility and other documents. The following are the various document categories you must provide:
Identification Documents
Regardless of how you choose to apply for an Excess Telecom free tablet, you must supply documents proving your identity. Critically, the documents should have your full name and your social security number.
With any of the following documents, you should have no problem meeting this requirement:
- Driver’s License
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Number
- Foreign Passport
- U.S. Passport
- Federal, State, Tribal, or Military-Issued ID
Documents Proving Your Address
Entering your address in your application for an Excess Telecom free tablet is a standard practice you cannot avoid. However, that’s not enough.
Excess Telecom requires all applicants for the ACP discount to provide documents proving their addresses. Critically, the details on the documents should be the same as those in the application form.
The following are some of the acceptable proof-of-address documents:
- Current Utility Bill
- Federal, State, or Tribal-Issued ID
- Current Lease or Mortgage Statement
- Current Paycheck Stu, Income Statement, or W2
- Driver’s License
Income Documents
You can get an Excess Telecom free tablet if your income is up to 200 percent of Federal Poverty guidelines. But it’s not enough to state your annual income. You must provide official documents from an employer or the government showing how much you make annually.
Following are some of the acceptable proof-of-income documents:
- Statement of your social security benefits
- Statement of benefits for Unemployment or worker’s compensation
- Divorce decree, child support award, divorce decree, or any other income document
- Statement of benefits for veteran administration
- Current income statements
- Federal, state or, Tribal, for the previous financial year
Documents to Prove Participation in Federal, State, or Tribal Assistance
Which type of State, Federal, or Tribal Assistance do you or a household member participate in? Besides stating it in your application, you must provide documents proving your participation in the program
The FCC requires the document to have the name of the Tribal, Federal, or State entity offering the program, your name, and the program’s name. It should be not more than 12 months old or set to expire in the next year.
Regardless of the assistance program, the following are some of the documents you should provide:
- A letter of participation on a Tribal, state, or Federal general assistance program
- Statement of eligibility for Tribal, state, or Federal aid
Eligible participants in the ACP should be at least 18 years old. Those that haven’t attained the majority age should provide a certificate of emancipation or court documents showing their eligibility to apply for the ACP.
How to Apply for Excess Telecom Free Tablet
To get an Excess Telecom free tablet, you must follow an elaborate, step-by-step process to apply for it. Here is a detailed outline of the steps you must take to apply for your free tablet:
Step 1: Contact Excess Telecom
You need to know how Excess Telecom works before you can apply for a free tablet from them. So, you should contact them to understand the special procedures you must follow to actualize your application.
Besides, you should be sure that Excess Telecom operates in your area. But since it utilizes the T-Mobile network, that shouldn’t be a significant issue.
Step 2: Check if You Meet Eligibility
Don’t take it for granted that you’ll qualify for an Excess Telecom free phone. Instead, you should check and confirm your eligibility for the ACP.
While the general eligibility criteria remain the same, network providers may require you to meet additional conditions. So, checking with Excess Telecom is also critical.
Step 3: Hand in Your Application
To get an Excess Telecom free tablet, you must hand in your application in any prescribed way. The company mainly accepts online applications, which implies going to their website.
Before filling out the application form, you must ascertain that your area has the Excess Telecom network. You may present any complaints by calling the Excess Telecom customer service at 1-800-615-0898.
Alternatively, you can apply for an Excess Telecom free tablet via the National Verifier. Details required include your name, date of birth, social security number, and ID (Tribal, Driver’s License) number.
Ensure you attach photos of all the necessary documents. Fill out the address section and attach proof-of-identity documents. Wait a few days to get approved for an Excess Telecom free tablet.
Step 4: Mail in Your Application
If you can’t send your application online, print out the application form, fill it out, attach the necessary documents, and send it via mail. The ACP mail-in address is the following:
- USAC
- Affordable Connectivity Support Center
- P.O Box 7081
- London, KY 40742
Step 5: Wait for Approval
It could be days before Excess Telecom authenticates your application for a free tablet. So, learn to exercise patience while waiting. You may get notified about your approval for a free tablet or the contrary.
Those who get approved will get information on how they’ll receive the tablet. The rest may have to attach more documents or resubmit the application form.
The Bottom Line
You can get an Excess Telecom free tablet if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. If approved for a free tablet, you will get a $100 subsidy on the device’s price. Excess Telecom has an $11 co-payment, without which you might not get the free tablet.
Besides the free tablet, you’ll enjoy discounted internet services to help you work, study, and entertain online. The general discount is $30, which could cover your monthly broadband bill. For Tribal Lands residents, the discount is $75.
People Also Ask
Excess Telecom offers free tablets to its customers that meet all the ACP eligibility criteria. You must apply for the free tablet and attach all the necessary documents.
You can only get an Excess Telecom free tablet if you qualify for the ACP. Your income should be below 200 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines, or you should participate in a government assistance program.
It is not clear if the ACP will end any time soon. The program will likely last for a long time with Federal government funding.